Meet Kevin Forrest | Owner of K4S Entertainment & HFL Magazine

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kevin Forrest and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kevin, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When I first started my business I did it out of necessity. I started my career in entertainment as a music producer but it was difficult to be taken seriously by the media without having mainstream backing, it was hard to get interviews. Once I reached a certain level I wanted to create a platform where serious independent artists wouldn’t have an issue with their journey being showcased. That’s how HFL Magazine was born.

What should our readers know about your business?
I think what separates us is how Hustler For Life Magazine is able to fuse both the independent and mainstream artists and entrepreneurs and present them in a way that is equal. Everyone in HFL has a story that matters. We don’t give a huge illusion of hierarchy in how we present. I think that helps us carve our own lane.

It took years of networking, I was able to leverage a lot of the connections I was making in the music industry as the base of several issues. It put us in a position to start our publication with a lot of celebrity star power to get on the radar of other artists and powerful circles.

It definitely wasn’t easy. When you aren’t backed by one of the major networks or industry powerhouses you have to prove yourself even more. The look of your product and the presentation of your proposal to management companies has to have to same feel as corporations with a lot more history and money than you have as a fledgling independent. Otherwise you can’t even get a second with the management companies, stars and businesses you need to be successful,

One of the biggest things this industry has taught me is that you have to plan and move within your field as if you are always one opportunity away from reaching the next level of the development of your empire. When the opportunity comes you can’t afford to hesitate or freestyle. You have to come ready.

As we celebrate our tenth anniversary I just want people to know that this was a long grueling journey, the recognition we have been receiving didn’t happen over night and we are just thankful for all the people that came along for this wild ride.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Tough question because there are so many great spots here. If I had to choose an itinerary, I would say Metro Diner for breakfast (chicken and waffles with strawberry butter is amazing), River and Post for lunch (they make a Po’ Boy that’s out of this world), Black sheep roof top for happy hour, The Wine Cellar for Dinner (the trio of flavors options is the most amazing sampler I’ve had), and then XO lounge or South Beach Lounge to party the night away.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I want to give a shout out to Danielle Carroll of Danaya Azure Radio. She is my marketing consultant and assists me with my publication.

Website: www.k4sent.com

Instagram: k4s_ent

Twitter: k4s_ent

Facebook: K4S Entertainment

Other: Bit.ly/HFLMAG